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Pittman not wasting his chance
By Terry Pluto
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TEMPE, ARIZ - It figures that Maurice Clarett would be wanted for robbery on the eve of the Fiesta Bowl.
That's because I was going to write something good about Antonio Pittman, who has helped Ohio State reach this marquee matchup with Notre Dame this afternoon.
I'm still going to do it. I'm sick of stories about kids who have tremendous chances and throw them away. The reality is how Pittman has been an overachiever, how he has rushed for 1,195 yards -- OSU's first 1,000-yard rusher since You Know Who in 2002.
The story is how Pittman had to sell himself to coach Jim Tressel, who was searching for someone to be a consistent runner ever since Clarett's career went up in the flames of anger and controversy.
The story is with six games of at least 100 yards, Pittman has done just that. He has the determination and willingness to run inside for rugged yards. That has made believers out of his offensive line, who love to block for him.
The story is Pittman needs only 43 yards to bull his way past Clarett's total of 1,237 in his only season with the Buckeyes. He's only the third sophomore in OSU history to rush for 1,000 yards.
And yes, Clarett is part of the Pittman story, according to Buchtel coach Claude Brown.
``Antonio is a humble kid,'' said Brown. ``Some people at OSU thought he was too timid to be their tailback, but I know that he didn't want to open his mouth after all the stuff with Clarett. He didn't want to come off that way.''
Brown paused, thinking of the young man who scored 54 touchdowns in his last two seasons at Buchtel.
``If he popped off and said he wanted the ball, then people would think they have another Clarett,'' said Brown. ``But because he kept his mouth shut, they wondered if he was too quiet. I'm telling you, all they had to do was give him the ball.''
Brown said that early this season, the Buckeyes employed a spread offense. It was much different than how Pittman was used in high school, where he ran behind a fullback. They were throwing the ball often, and didn't seem to know exactly how to use the 5-foot-11, 195-pounder.
``He was frustrated, but kept it to himself,'' Brown said. ``After the Penn State game (a 17-10 loss, Pittman gaining only 58 yards), Antonio talked to some people behind the scenes. Look at what he's done since.''
The Buckeyes are 6-0 after the Penn State game, as Pittman has averaged 122 yards during the streak. He scored the winning touchdown with 24 seconds left in the dramatic victory over Michigan.
``He is going to be a very big-time running back for the Buckeyes,'' said Brown. ``I keep telling him to keep his nose clean, go to class, listen to the coaches. I don't hear anything from the coaches up there (at OSU), so I know he's doing a good job off the field.''
Brown paused again, thinking of Clarett's latest misadventure.
``Maurice could have owned Columbus by now,'' he said. ``He'd be in the NFL. Antonio is going to be playing on Sundays. If you are the starting tailback for Ohio State and you gain 1,000 yards, you get drafted.''
Brown said he talks to Pittman about once a week. He said Pittman stops by the school and practices when he's home from Columbus. He talked about Pittman lifting weights with some of the Buchtel players this summer, and how he showed up unannounced to stand on the sidelines during Buchtel's playoff game with Steubenville.
``He doesn't big-time people because he's starting for Ohio State,'' said Brown.
``He doesn't act special. He's the same kid who was here, and he remembers where he came from.''
Now that's a story worth telling.
